Before His Second Coming, Jesus said something that sounds less like a warning and more like a commission: the gospel of the kingdom would be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations—and then the end would come (see Matthew 24:14; Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:31). For Latter-day Saints, that line is not a countdown meant to frighten anyone. It describes the Lord’s latter-day work: light breaking forth, missionaries going forth, and the restored gospel reaching those who have waited for it.

This article gathers Restoration scripture and living prophetic counsel about that sign. The aim is the same as every page in this library: name the sign honestly, refuse fear-selling, and invite readers toward Jesus Christ and His restored Church. If wars and rumors can unsettle the heart, this sign is meant to steady it.

What the Scriptures Teach

Among the latter-day conditions the Savior named sits this promise: “And again, this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come, or the destruction of the wicked” (Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:31).

Notice what the sign is for. It is a witness. The gospel goes as testimony—of Christ, of His Atonement, of repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring in covenant—not as a scare campaign. Signs help the elect recognize the season and treasure up the Lord’s word so they will not be deceived (see Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:37–39).

The Doctrine and Covenants turns the prophecy into a living assignment. The Lord commands His people to proclaim the gospel from land to land and bear testimony unto every people (see D&C 66:5, 7; 133:37). He promises that every person will eventually hear the fulness of the gospel in his or her own language (see D&C 90:11). Doctrine and Covenants 45 connects this sign to the Restoration: when the times of the Gentiles come in, a light shall break forth—“the fulness of my gospel” (D&C 45:28). Mosiah taught that the knowledge of a Savior shall spread throughout every nation, kindred, tongue, and people (see Mosiah 3:20).

What This Means

The Prophet Joseph Smith described the unstoppable reach of the work: truth going forth until it has penetrated every continent and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God are accomplished. That is confidence, not fear. President Ezra Taft Benson taught that the commission to take the gospel to every nation is itself one of the signs of the Savior’s return. Elder Dallin H. Oaks listed that worldwide witness among the major latter-day signs—then called Saints to spiritual preparation, not anxiety.

President Russell M. Nelson has placed missionary and temple work at the center of latter-day purpose: the gathering of Israel on both sides of the veil. The prophet’s voice rises toward hope and invitation. The sign is not “the world is doomed, so join us.” The sign is “the Lord is sending witnesses of hope—come and see.”

There is a difference between recognizing a missionary age of the world and turning every conversation into pressure. The Lord’s sequence is witness, invitation, agency. Missionaries invite; they do not coerce.

Recognizing the Sign in Our Day

It is faithful to notice, without sensationalism, that the gospel is going farther and faster than earlier in this dispensation.

As of recent Church reports (2025–2026), public updates describe a global missionary and temple surge: missionaries near historic highs; hundreds of missions; continuing convert baptisms; dedicated temples in the two hundreds, with many announced temples outside the United States; and the gospel taught in a growing number of languages.

None of these figures is offered to boast or frighten. They are a plain snapshot: the Savior said the gospel would go to all the world as a witness, and Saints can watch that witness expand. Gaps remain; prophets say the Lord will yet open doors. The right response is gratitude and willingness—not date-setting.

What You Can Do

If this sign stirs you, start with hope. Then choose a few concrete acts.

Pray for the missionary force and for open doors. Pray also for nations still waiting for fuller access to the restored gospel.

Share simply. A sincere testimony of Christ, an invitation to church, or a link to Come Unto Christ can be enough. The Spirit does the converting.

Support the work on both sides of the veil. Family history and temple ordinances are missionary work for those who cannot hear the gospel in mortality the way we can.

Stand with living prophets. Preparation for the Second Coming includes gathering Israel and turning more fully to Jesus Christ.

If you are seeking, you do not need to wait until every nation has heard. The witness has already reached you. You can talk with missionaries today.

An Invitation to Share Hope

It is easy to treat “gospel in all the world” like a checklist for the end. Prophets invite a better frame: rejoice that the Lord is hastening His work, and join it. The restored gospel does not ask you to be afraid enough. It asks you to come unto Christ—and help someone else do the same.

You can begin today. Read Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:31 and Doctrine and Covenants 133. Then, if you feel drawn to learn more, talk with missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They will not ask you to buy fear. They will invite you to learn of Christ, to pray, and to discover whether the Book of Mormon and the Restoration are true.

A simple place to start is ComeUntoChrist.org. Ask your questions. Bring your hope that God still speaks to the whole earth. The sign is real. So is the invitation to be part of it.

For Readers Who Want to Go Deeper

Primary scriptures for this theme include Matthew 24:14; Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:31, 37–39; Doctrine and Covenants 45:28; 66:5, 7; 90:11; 133:37; Mosiah 3:20; and Mark 16:15.

Helpful sources include Ezra Taft Benson, “Our Commission to Take the Gospel to All the World,” April 1984; Dallin H. Oaks, “Preparation for the Second Coming,” April 2004; teachings of President Russell M. Nelson on gathering Israel; and Gospel Principles on missionary work and signs of the Second Coming.

None of these sources exist to make you anxious. They exist so you can see clearly, trust Christ more deeply, and help someone else find the same refuge.

A tool we recommend: Scripture Notes is a Latter-day Saint scripture study site and app for searching the scriptures, keeping notes by verse, and finding patterns faster—built to help you get more revelation in less time. We support their work; if you’re going deeper on these passages, it’s worth a look.

If you’d like to put into words what you believe, you can share a testimony at https://myldstestimony.com/.

Independence note: Witness the Signs is an independent project and is not an official website of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Church. Content here reflects our own study and opinions; for official doctrine and materials, visit ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Witness the Signs writes about prophesied latter-day conditions so readers can recognize God’s hand, feel hope, and take a next step toward Jesus Christ and His restored Church. We are not here to frighten anyone into faith. We are here to point to the Prince of Peace—and to the living invitation to come and see.